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Technology Stocks : Energy Conversion Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SolarGal who wrote (8374)	6/10/2009 3:49:06 PM
From: SolarGal	Respond to of 8393

Main article: Patent encumbrance of large automotive NiMH batteries Wonder why very little to no progress on ECD battery market/marketing??? Read on to see the real 'stally' (story) about stall out of ECD Nimh battery progress -- into market, etc. [Note: Please copy and paste URLs in browser -- can't get to work with tags or as displaying in message but should work with copy and paste.] ___________________________________________________ From Wikipedia entry for Energy Conversion Devices at wikipedia.org Excerpts from Patent Encumbrance section [Note: see Main article: Patent encumbrance of large automotive NiMH batteries at wikipedia.org ] n 1994, General Motors acquired a controlling interest in Ovonics's battery development and manufacturing, including patents controlling the manufacturing of large nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. On October 10, 2001, Texaco purchased GM's share in GM Ovonics, and Chevron completed its acquisition of Texaco six days later. In 2003, Texaco Ovonics Battery Systems was restructured into Cobasys, a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) Ovonics.[5] .... In her book, Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America, published in February 2007, Sherry Boschert argues that large-format NiMH batteries are commercially viable but that Cobasys refuses to sell or license them to small companies or individuals. Boschert reveals that Cobasys accepts only very large orders for these batteries. When Boschert conducted her research, major auto makers showed little interest in NiMH batteries. Since no other companies were capable of producing large orders, Cobasys was not manufacturing any NiMH batteries for automotive purposes.[6] .... However, in December 2006, Cobasys and General Motors announced that they had signed a contract under which Cobasys provides NiMH batteries for the Saturn Aura hybrid sedan.[7] In March 2007, GM announced that it would use Cobasys NiMH batteries in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid as well. Cobasys remains unwilling to produce and sell NiMH batteries in smaller quantities to individuals interested in building or retrofitting their own PHEVs. Related References 5 Roberson, J. (March 14, 2007) "Supplier Cobasys exploring more hybrid batteries" Detroit Free Press 6. Boschert, S. (2007) Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America (Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers) ISBN 9780865715714 _____________________________________________ How did this happen??